"IF music be the food of love, play on." It's one of Shakespeare's most memorable lines, and it doesn't matter if the music that is loved is instruments and orchestras, bands and ballads, soloists or choirs.
Choirs are in the news, whether they be church, gospel, barbershop, choral, chamber or contemporary, and they have a ring of joy around them.
When I was 15 I was in the chorus of the Mikado with Rosemary Youth Guild and the experience has lived with me over the years.
What was it? It was the excitement of meeting for rehearsals, the challenge of learning the words and music, the fun and the building of relationships and self-esteem. Mind you, at 15 there was the added attraction of boys...
There's a growing number of choirs in Northern Ireland, and even during lockdown some extraordinary Zoom productions drew singers from all arts and parts to perform together as one unit.
But not everyone gets the chance of joining a choir. Some can't find one, some are a bit shy as they don't think they can sing and others don't have time.
Now there's a unique chance to get involved in a most exciting choral event and you don't have to read music - there are no auditions, no need to sing solo, just the achievement of making a joyful noise unto the Lord.
A CHANCE TO BE A ROCKER
The Rock Choir experience comes to Belfast on Saturday, September 17, and organisers have taken over the whole MAC theatre building at St Anne's Square because, although they expected around 100 people to show interest, they had to close the books when 700 would-be singers signed up.
Saturday offers an initial free workshop and at the end of the day there will be a number of embryonic choirs ready to establish themselves, for participants to become members if they wish, ready to welcome new enthusiasts to their ranks and so enjoy friendship rock singing for years to come.
From this month there will be weekly sessions in Belfast, Bangor, Newtownards and Lisburn led by two local Rock Choir leaders: Sophie Giraudeau, working in Belfast, Bangor and Newtownards; and Clare Galway, in Belfast and Lisburn.
BUT DON'T DESPAIR
Even if you are not one of the 700 men and women this weekend you will still be able to experience the thrill of a flash mob of rock singers from Scotland at venues in Belfast: 11am at Royal Avenue (beside Primark); 1.30pm in Botanic Gardens; and 3.30pm at Titanic Slipway.
This is a national organisation with a membership of 30,000 in 240 towns and cities. Choirs have appeared on The One Show, Britain's Got Talent, This Morning, BBC Breakfast, Sky News, ITV News, Channel 5 News and many more, so there is great scope for Northern Ireland to make its mark by joining the world's largest contemporary choir.
Rock Choir is the brainchild of Caroline Redman Lusher, herself a well known singer, with gold and platinum awards, a deal with Decca/Universal, and she opened both the 2018 and 2019 BBC Proms In The Park from Hyde Park.
But despite her own distinguished career, 17 years ago she agreed to coach teenagers through the music element of their A-levels during the performing arts course at Farnham sixth form college.
It started with lunchtime sessions, teaching boys and girls to harmonise using pop songs they knew, and soon 170 students began gaining confidence and discovering a love of singing.
LITTLE ACORNS
"Teachers found pupils' grades were improving and parents said children were happier," says Caroline.
"I began to think this might be an idea for adults so I took that model, put up posters in the local coffee shop and soon had 70 adults on the books."
And it's grown from there: "I've realised the importance of these choirs. Men and women gain confidence, share their problems and for many there is something to live for.
"We don't know what people are going through - break-ups, bereavements, empty nest syndrome, mental illnesses - but sharing music with others and singing lifts the spirits and promotes friendships.
"We've been wanting to come to Northern Ireland for some time but the Covid pandemic set us back.
"However, I am thrilled that we now have an opportunity to begin teaching the unique Rock Choir contemporary song repertoire, raise money for local charities and offer members in Northern Ireland some amazing and once-in-a-lifetime experiences."
Members who join will be connected to the national Rock Choir, which will offer them a chance to sing with other men and women, families and teenagers from England, Scotland and Wales.
All those involved learn the same song - this weekend it will be Fleetwood Mac's Go Your Own Way - so when they come together as one choir, they'll sing with one voice, part of the huge Rock Choir family.
And there's something to aim for; in 2023 Caroline is planning that all choirs will meet and sing in the NEC Arena in Birmingham.
She points out that from small beginnings the Rock Choir has grown to an enormous entity.
"From just me in a classroom it has grown to a staff of 120. Membership costs £100 for each of three academic terms, spring, summer and autumn, and members are in touch with the organisers via the internet all the times to hear about plans for concerts, charity events and get-togethers."
Organising the Northern Ireland event was something new for Caroline and her staff but she says they had an expert cultural adviser to help - Jenny Cooke, a long-time supporter of music theatre here, who Caroline says is "our guardian angel".
So, welcome to the Rock Choir Team, including 80 professional musicians and performers and the leaders, who will each deliver weekly rehearsals in their own local communities.
Shakespeare spoke many a true word.
::More details at rockchoir.com and carolineredmanlusher.com.
